The Ballad of Renegade Nell

Can we speak plainly? When the creators of a series decide to take historical fiction, historical fantasy, and the supernatural -- and throw the entire lot into a Ninja blender set on HI, the result is not going to please everyone. On the other hand, this is entertainment we are talking about, not a medical school entrance exam. So, depending on the viewer, it either works. Or it doesn't. Think of shows like WEDNESDAY or XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS. Good production values, good acting, good writing. Now it is entirely up to you. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

The first three episodes of the show are quite dark and serious in comparison to the rest of season 1. There are themes such as violence against women and children resulting in injury, murder and sexual harassment of a (presumed) minor (no sexual harassment takes place on screen). Episodes 4-8 are slightly lighter in tone, and I believe this is so they can keep the rating a 12+.

Nell is a fantastic character and I can only applaud the actress for her talent. Her sisters, Rassalas and Isambard Tulley are equally wonderful, and the character of Billy Blind grounds the fantasy theme that underpins the entire plot.

Some reviewers have complained about the use of an ethnically diverse cast for a show set in the 1700's, but this is a fantasy show which displays magic and magical creatures as real. The realities of real life in the 1700's are both irrelevant and unnecessary, in a plot that is clearly divorced from real history. Anyone looking to this show to provide real historical context is (in my opinion) crazy.

My criticism of the show is based on the last two episodes. I was a little disappointed by episode 7, as Nell's fight scene wasn't taken in the direction I was expecting. Episode 8 was even more disappointing. I think the show left too many character arcs and plot points to be concluded within the final episode. There's too much jumping around between characters, most of whom are facing separate (if overlapping) problems. I was surprised and disappointed, that the central villains of the show were not dealt with how I expected (or wanted) them to be, though they all did face consequences in different ways. Nell and her family do get a happy ending, so it's worth watching for that alone. Overall it's a decently entertaining show, that I didn't find difficult to watch, and would recommend to others.

There are a few musical numbers in the later episodes of the season, and there's a good soundtrack throughout, in particular Nell's fight song. Whoever created that should be very proud of themselves.

Renegade Nell delivers an unforgettable experience, largely due to the exceptional performances by Louisa Harland and Frank Dillane, supported by a great full cast.

Harland's portrayal of Nell is both fierce and vulnerable, capturing the essence of the character with nuance and depth. Showcasing her versatility as an actress, making Nell a multi-dimensional and relatable protagonist

Dillane's charismatic presence as the antagonist adds a thrilling dynamic to the narrative. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable, elevating the story to new heights. A must-watch for their outstanding performances alone.

I loved it from start to finish. The action was great and the acting was lovely. I was hooked from the first episode and couldn't wait to watch the next. A bit dark, exciting, and a great female lead. A few laughs here and there to lighten it up a bit. So disappointed there won't be a second season. I would have absolutely loved to see where they were going to take the story. Such a bummer when they make good shows but they don't stick around. I feel like this show had some new adventure to it, not just a remake of old stories. It was refreshing to have such a strong female lead whose sisters were awesome too.

Some of you need to learn how to have fun and not take everything so seriously. I swear some people are so uptight with their reviews. I thought this show so far (I'm three episodes in) is lighthearted and fun. The comedic writing is good, the storyline/plot is entertaining so far and I like Nell and most of the cast. It's fun natured and clearly meant to be entertaining and lighthearted and good fun. You're not watching a freaking documentary for the love of God, so if you expect it to be perfectly accurate to the time period and history, watch something else. This clearly isn't for you. It's fun and it's not meant to be watched as a film snob or to be taken quite so seriously, I thought that was pretty evident from the very first episode...Some of you didn't get the memo clearly.